Gentlemen shepherds

Processional on God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

arrangement Mack Wilberg
additional lyrics: David Warner

Did humble shepherd gentlemen whisper through the night
Of prophets and of prophecies promising God's might -
To quickly come deliver them, vanquish all their fears;
To bind up people's grieving hearts, wounded through the years?

Or did those shepherds dream in peace, trusting God above,
Until His angel, bright and fair, brought His word of love -
Awakening shepherds young and old, trembling, sore afraid,
While heavenly hosts declared the news, answering the pleas all men prayed?

God rest ye merry gentlemen, let nothing you dismay,
Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas day,
To save us all from Satan's power when we were gone astray:
O tidings of comfort, tidings of comfort, tidings, comfort and joy!

Then merrily those gentlemen wiped away their tears,
And careless of their weariness, heedless of their years,
Flew happily across the shepherd's field bearing deep within
The wonder of God's love for all: shepherds, us, and all of our kin!

In Bethlehem in Jewry, this blessed babe was born,
And laid within a manger upon this blessed morn;
Of which His mother, Mary, did nothing take in scorn:
O tidings of comfort, tidings of comfort, tidings, comfort and joy!

And from that little manger bed where the baby lay,
Those merry, gentle gentlemen heralded the day
Alive in Christ, the Lord of all, hastening to proclaim
What comfort and what joy we know witnessing His name!

With joy! Tidings! Joy! Praise and joy! Comfort, joy! Christmas joy!

Now to the Lord sing praises, all you within this place,
And with true love and brotherhood each other now embrace;
This holy tide of Christmas all other doth deface:
O tidings of comfort, tidings of comfort, tidings, comfort and joy!

---

Recorded at the Tabernacle Choir’s 2008 Christmas concert in Salt Lake City.